Description: The CaspGLOW Fluorescein Active staining kit contains the reagents to sensitively detect active caspase in all mammalian cells. This assay utilizes the inhibitor specific for all caspases, Z-VAD-FMK, that is directly conjugated to FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) for the detection system. This reagent is cell permeable, non-toxic and irreversibly binds to the active enzyme. Detection of the labeled cells can be determined by flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy or a fluorescent plate reader.
The Caspases are a family of aspartate-specific cysteine proteases that act in a step-wise signaling manner like kinases. Recruitment of these proteases to oligomerized receptors leads to activation and autoproteolytic cleavage. Active caspases can proteolyze additional caspases generating a caspase cascade. The final outcome of this signaling pathway is a form of controlled cell death, termed apoptosis.
